8 months...

Jack-Jack,

I thought I told you not to grow anymore. I told you to stay my wee little baby, so I could snuggle you forever. You aren't listening very well.

You learn new things so quickly, I can no longer keep up with writing them down. Plus, you keep me on my toes---getting into things, exploring the house, examining every detail of a room. You love to stand and cruise around the furniture. You love to pull all the books off your bookshelf. You love to tweak the door-stopper-thingy and listen to the buzzing noise it makes. You love music, bouncing up and down and clapping your hands when it is playing. You are very into Elvis, The Beach Boys, and the Beatles. Your favorite song is Barbara Ann. You try to "sing" during worship at church and think the people raising their arms are waving, so you wave back. You love going out and about and waving at everyone around. You clap your hands when you want my attention. The dishwasher is your favorite. You also love when I'm cooking and hold you up to see the food in the oven, or the water boiling. You get very offended when we eat in front of you and you can't have some. You love to eat and aren't picky about what it is. You even tried the cat's food. Yum.

Presley, Auntie Jen's puppy, is your new buddy. You love that she's just your size. Having the two of you together causes a three-ring-circus. "No Presley, that's Jack's." "No Jack, that's Presley's." I am very glad we don't have a puppy right now at home, though I would love something that cleans up all the food you throw off your highchair. I love watching your sense of humor develop. You crack yourself up sometimes. There's no sound better than your belly laugh. Your eyes are lightening and look more like mine every day. That makes your Daddy very happy. I am very happy you have your Daddy's long eyelashes. You have a new crinkle-nose smile lately, that shows off your little teeth. You are learning to obey. You know what you aren't allowed to play with and are beginning to listen when I say "No, no!".

You love other kids. At church, you like to follow Eva Frampton around in the lobby, during the sermon. And you love your buddy, Levi. You two are beginning to play a bit together and "talk" to each other. So adorable. You also like to slap him upside the head. Not so adorable. You keep me very busy, but I love spending my days with you. Every morning we open your curtain and look out the window. We look at the tree and the sky. Sometimes there's snow and you look at me like "what the heck?" Then you search around to see if Daddy is home. You check all the rooms, chanting "Dadadada." He's your favorite. You love Friday mornings when you two eat breakfast together. You're already the best of friends.

I love you more every day, my baby boy. I love the rare moments I get to snuggle you now---you have too much wiggling to do to snuggle much! I love how when you're sad or sleepy, you lay your head on my shoulder and pat my back. I love our dance parties together and when you chase me up and down the hall. I love you a bushel and a peck and forever.

Love,

Your Mommy